Kenneth Davis

Kenneth Davis

Penn State will lead a five-year, $30 million mission to improve quantification of present-day carbon-related greenhouse gas sources and sinks. An improved understanding of these gases will advance our ability to predict and manage future climate change.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are lower above the Atlantic Ocean than scientists would expect, based on the amount of CO2 released by power plants, vehicles, and industry in the United States. Since the prevailing winds blow from west to east across North America, our continent seemingly acts as a "carbon sink"—a place where CO2, a greenhouse gas increasing worldwide, is scrubbed from the atmosphere.